Inside Unmanned Systems

APR-MAY 2018

Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.

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25 April/May 2018 unmanned systems
inside
ENGINEERING. PRACTICE. POLICY.
algorithms have been formally veri-
fied," Dill said, "and we've designed
our software to meet safety assurance
standards all the way up to those for
commercial manned aircraft."
In fact, Safeguard is certified and
that certification sets it apart because,
as yet, there are no standards to en-
able such certif ication through the
usual aviation process. NASA, how-
ever, has standards of its own and
Safeguard has achieved a NASA class
B certification, "which means that it
is up to a level to be mission critical
for unmanned spacef light," Dill said.
A S a f e g u a r d - e q u ipp e d d r one
also cannot be taken over in f light
and directed over a geofenced area.
Information on no-f ly zones is up-
Safeguard
A geofence enforcement
system that:
• Has certifi ed software
• Is physically separate
from autopilot
• Is unhackable in fl ight
• Has GNSS, other location technology
s
n
a
p
s
h
o
t
Safe2Ditch Technology
Patent pending
This crash management system works with existing
autopilots. It autonomously maneuvers a failing
drone to a landing spot that minimizes risk to
people and property by optimizing battery power
and any still-functioning control capabilities. As it
approaches the site, Safe2Ditch uses machine vision
to check the selected site is clear as expected.
Power Line Fault Sensor
Patent Pending
This technology, which can be installed on a drone,
comprises a novel system of detecting, inspecting
and analyzing a corona discharge using an ultra-
violet camera. UV detection off ers images that
isolate the location of the corona discharge with far
greater precision—an approach that shows promise
for detecting faults in power lines.
Lightweight Sensing and
Control System
Patent 7,962,252
Researchers used micro-electro-mechanical
systems (MEMS) to build a sensing and fl ight
control system for small UAS that supports semi-
autonomous fl ight. Its active fl ight control board
and an avionics sensor board work together to
compare the UAS' actual position, heading, and
orientation with pre-programmed data—then makes
adjustments to stay on course.
Super Resolution 3-D LiDAR
Patents: 8,655,513 and 8,494,687
Flash LiDAR takes advantage of the information
in a sequence of 3-D images acquired at video
rates. NASA's new image processing algorithm
can improve image resolution by eight times by
correcting and enhancing the image sequence
during processing into a high-resolution 3-D
synthetic image. The technique could aid
autonomous vehicle guidance and control.
Modular Multi-Mode Drone
Patent Pending
Designed for delivery services or a distributed aerial
presence, this drone is capable of delivering multiple
independent payloads over a range of more than 60
miles. The aircraft's wings are largely made of small
UAS that can separate to perform independent
missions. When un-assembled the drones use
embedded ducted rotors for lift and propulsion.
Wireless Sensor
Patent 8,430,327
By using a magnetic fi eld response measurement
acquisition system this technology can power
a sensor without needing wiring. Sensors can
be easily modifi ed to sense diff erent physical
properties and arranging multiple sensors together
can permit the wireless data acquisition system to
read the responses from all of them by powering
just one of them.
loaded into Safeguard from an up-to-
date database before a f light and can't
be updated wirelessly.
"Once Safeguard begins operation
there are no inputs into it," Dill said.
"So it is, while it's in operation, for all
intents and purposes, hack proof."
If a drone gets too close to a geofence
Safeguard sends a warning to the air-
craft to perform some sort of contin-
gency maneuver, Dill said—perhaps a
soft landing or a return-to-home order.
If the drone continues toward the geo-
fence, Safeguard—which, again, is a
completely independent system—will
terminate the f light, for example, by
stopping the rotors. The software can
bypass the drone's other systems to end
the f light thereby preventing f lyaways